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Are you ever confused by some acronyms or IBM-isms which you may come across on the web, in support calls, or discussions with colleagues? Here's a tip I stumbled upon which has helped me substantially in my day-to-day business which I am now sharing with you in the hopes you'll find it helpful as well!

This post explains the IBM V.R.M.F - Maintenance Delivery Vehicle (MDV) terminology used by Rational products. V.R.M.F is the product release numbering format that is being implemented throughout the IBM and the Rational product lines.

IBM is using a standard version format for MDV. The product numbering is based on the IBM Version, Release, Modification and Fix Level structure within the V.R.M.F format.

The following table provides some details of the individual version elements. Note: Although not all of the version elements are publicly available, they are all fully supported:

Version Element

Example

Description

V - Version number

(7.0.0.0)

Indicates a separate IBM licensed program that usually has significant new code or new function. Major feature changes. Starts a 5 year maintenance clock. Downloads found on Passport Advantage

Manufacturing refresh. Full release that can include new functionality. Full Install. Announced version change.Maintenance roll-up of Fix Packs.Does NOT start 5 year maintenance clock. Downloads found on Passport Advantage

F - Fix Pack

(7.0.0.0)

Synchronized, cumulative patch. Includes iFixes and Test Fixes. Maintenance roll-up. Quarterly releases or as needed.Does NOT start a 5 year maintenance clock. Downloads found on Fix Centraland/or on the IBM FTP site from a Download document.

Interim Fix (Does not update V.R.M.F)

(7.0.0.0 ifix001)

Tested and verified fix available to all customers. Subsequent Interim Fixes are cumulative. For example iFix002 replaces iFix001. Downloads found on Fix Centraland/or on the IBM FTP site from a Download document.

LAiFix - Limited Availability iFix(Does not update V.R.M.F)

A temporary or uncertified fix for multiple issues, with limited IBM testing. Not publicly available. Available through Support on an as-available / as-needed basis.

TestFix – Interim maintenance(Does not update V.R.M.F.)

A temporary or uncertified fix for a single issue, with limited IBM testing. Not publicly available. Available through Support on an as-available / as-needed basis.

And lastly, how about a link to our Site Assistance page... here you can find a number of resources to help with things like navigation, search, filtering, managing support portal modules, managing product lists, and much more!

Please join us on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011, at 3:00pm IST (9:30am GMT, 5:30am EDT, 2:30am PDT) as the Bangalore Rational Support Team leads a discussion around "Configuring Rational Functional Tester (RFT) - Best Practices"

Description: Configuring the environment and the Application Under Test with RFT is a very significant step before the creation of script. Its observed quite often that failing this would lead to number of issues at a later time. General issues observed are object not identified correctly, play back failures, unexpected errors etc.

Session Agenda:1. Configuration steps 2. An insight in to the Issues related to configuration3. Tips and Tricks to diagnose these issues4. Resolving / avoiding these issues.5. DemoTarget Audience:Customers using Rational Functional Tester in their Testing life-cycle and IBM Internal contacts who are Interested in the Product.

We enjoy holding these Open Mic calls with you, and hope you find them useful. Want more? What topics/products would you like to see covered in a future open mic call or series? Leave a comment and let us know ... we'd love to hear from you!Hope to see you there!

To help you take full advantage of your software, the Rational Support Technical Exchange hosts Open Mic conference calls and webcasts where technical experts share their knowledge and answer your questions on specific technical topics. Visit this page often for notices of upcoming events. Events will be recorded for those not able to attend live events.

Did you miss out on IBM Innovate this year? Couldn't make it to Orlando?

Well fear not, you can still register and attend local events with IBM Innovate around the world! Get all of the excitement and amazing knowledge from the Orlando event concentrated in your city, with your colleagues! Check the calendar for more dates and details: http://ibm.co/iBpXix

We're just over halfway into 2011 now, and thought it'd be fun to look back and see what content on Notes from Rational Support proves to be the most popular. So here you go, the top seven posts that you told us were hot bits of information by virtue of your click-throughs:

Did we miss one of your favourite posts you think should have been highlighted more? Have an idea for content you'd like to see? Let us know in the comments and we'll work even harder to provide exactly what you want to see here, and of course less of what you don't